A first for me - Virginia Rail

Although I've seen a couple of very, very brief glimpses of this species in the past this is my first photographic opportunity with one. Took these just this evening...I can't describe how excited I am about this. Such a secretive little bird, and it came out of the grasses a few times. What a cool call it has too! A few times I thought it was gone but then it called from within the grasses only a few feet from me. Heart still pounding...

Wow Great stuff!! Beautiful light, nice and sharp, a hard bird to get out in the open, plenty of nice but non-distracting habitat suggestion - Amazing shots!

wow, very interesting bird indeed. congrats, fine shots too.

Great shots of a very unique looking bird. I have never seen one before so thanks for sharing. Almost forgot ,as usual your captures are oustanding.

Congrats Dan! This is such a difficult bird to see in the open, let alone photograph one. And you managed to captures some great images of the bird too. Happy for ya.

beautiful color. i like the lighting. you captured this bird very well. congrats!

- hung

No wonder you were excited, I would be too. Great shots of a very elusive bird Dan.

Congrats Dan! Great shots of a unique bird! I've heard the name before but never knew what they looked like. Thanks for sharing these.

Fantastic shots of this elusive bird. Congratulations!!!

Wonderful shots Dan. Were you in the open where he could see you?

Very nice find. These are some great shots. Not only did you locate them, but the were in some pretty good light. It's doesn't get much better than that. Congrats on the find and some very nice shots!

Two fine captures of this secretive bird here Dan! Everyting comes togethere nicely!!

canonloader wrote in post #3150501
Wonderful shots Dan. Were you in the open where he could see you?

Mitch, yes, completely in the open - although I was crouching very low. From these angles I had only open spaces behind me (marshes) and in front of me the spring flooded forest (I was standing in 4-5 inches of water), so when the Rail came out all it saw was me - and let me tell you first hand that it knew darned well I was there! Talk about fast runners...it would disappear but never go far.

Great set of captures Dan, congrats on this tough bird to get. I see by your exif 1/60th and 1/50th, you did very well at these low speeds. Very nicely done.

Great story Dan, I can just see it happening while reading the explanation. Pretty funny when they realize they've madea tactical error.